1987 Toyota Camry
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1985 | 13 |
| 1986 | 32 |
| 1987 | 58 |
| 1988 | 64 |
| 1989 | 113 |
| 1990 | 134 |
| 1991 | 149 |
| 1992 | 565 |
| 1993 | 260 |
| 1994 | 287 |
| 1995 | 303 |
| 1996 | 417 |
| 1997 | 555 |
| 1998 | 600 |
| 1999 | 501 |
| 2000 | 454 |
| 2001 | 272 |
| 2002 | 953 |
| 2003 | 780 |
| 2004 | 638 |
| 2005 | 721 |
| 2006 | 317 |
| 2007 | 2885 |
| 2008 | 931 |
| 2009 | 1289 |
| 2010 | 600 |
| 2011 | 597 |
| 2012 | 587 |
| 2013 | 274 |
| 2014 | 452 |
| 2015 | 268 |
| 2016 | 177 |
| 2017 | 148 |
| 2018 | 726 |
| 2019 | 385 |
| 2020 | 263 |
| 2021 | 153 |
| 2022 | 57 |
| 2023 | 58 |
| 2024 | 45 |
| 2025 | 133 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
19% of complaints: seat belts — 11 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT RETRACT BACK WHEN DOOR HAS BEEN CLOSED
NHTSA ODI report, 20201207
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 92 V 025 000. *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030414
12% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 7 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER WENT TO GAS STATION OPEN THE GAS CAP AND THERE WAS A FIRE. TT
NHTSA ODI report, 19950324
5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1987 TOYOTA CAMRY. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY BUILDING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100309
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, PUT IN REVERSE, AND THEN DRIVE, VEHICLE WENT OPEN THROTTLE POSITION,HAD HIGH IDLE, AND THEN IN DRIVE, IMPACT 6:00 AND 12:00 POSITION. TT *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 19951010
5% of complaints: seat belts — 3 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: seat belts — 3 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
FRNT SEAT LAP BELT JAMMING
FRONT LAP BELT JAMS
PASSIVE SAFETY BELT WARNIN
OCCUPANT RELEASE OF THE LAP BELT IN A CERTAIN MANNER COULD CAUSE THE BELT RETRACTOR TO LOCK AT THE RETRACTED AND STOWED POSITION.
Remedy: REPLACE LAP BELT WITH A REDESIGNED BELT GUIDE.
Campaign 89V175000 — check if this car was fixed
PASSIVE SAFETY BELT FAILS
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTION
STUCK POWER DOOR LOCKS
LIQUID SPILLED IN THE CONSOLE AREA CAN PENETRATE TO THE HOUSING OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FOR THE FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS. LIQUID CONTAMINATION OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE FA
Remedy: INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE AUTOMATIC SAFETY BELT SYSTEM.
Campaign 92V025000 — check if this car was fixed
THROTTLE STICKING
THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM CAN FAIL, CAUSING THE CONTACTS TO "WELD", AND RESULTING IN DOOR LOCK SOLENOID DAMAGE, WITH FAILURE OF THE DOOR TO LOCK OR UNLOCK, EVEN
Remedy: INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL SUBCIRCUIT RELAY CONTROL TO PREVENT MALFUNCTION OF ORIGINAL RELAYS IN THE ECU.
Campaign 92V135000 — check if this car was fixed
THROTTLE STICKING
UNDER DASH FIRES
LEAKING FUEL TANK
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1987 Toyota Camry — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for seat belts issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 89V175000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 92V025000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 92V135000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1987 Toyota Camry reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1987 Toyota Camry is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Toyota Camry?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1987 Toyota Camry have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.